Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s 1845 tale "The Bell," this print by Henry Heerup reflects the artist’s deep admiration for Andersen’s imaginative storytelling and depth of the symbols he used. In the story, a mysterious bell is heard ringing from deep within the forest, luring the townspeople toward something sublime and inexplicable

“The sound came from a great, unknown world, a world beyond the forest, beyond the sea, where the sun sets.”
— Hans Christian Andersen, The Bell (1845)

Heerup, a key figure in the CoBrA movement, often drew from fairy tales, folklore, and the spiritual resonance of everyday life. His use of bold simplified forms and mythic symbolism align with Andersen’s sensibility and Heerup constantly referenced his work with childlike wonder and philosophical inquiry. In "Klokken," Heerup offers a visual echo of the story’s themes, a forest, connection and the search for the divine.

Alt text: A man in royal attire and a simply-dressed woman hold hands and face each other underneath a golden bell with wings. A tree is on either side of them with heart-shaped flowers. A rainbow spans the skyline above the winged bell.